Boccia Canada Announces 2024 National Team
All three athletes from the BC1/BC2 Team that won silver at the Santiago Parapan American Games in November will be returning to the team in 2024
Ottawa, ON (December 18, 2023) – Boccia Canada proudly unveiled today its elite roster for the 2024 National Boccia Team. In total, ten athletes have been chosen through the National High-Performance Program 2024 Selection Criteria. This group of athletes embody the spirit and determination that is needed to represent Canada on the international stage.
The team is comprised of a diverse blend of seasoned veterans with two newcomers to the squad. These athletes are supported with world-leading coaching, medical services, equipment, performance science, research and innovation, to compete and succeed at the highest level.
BC4 athlete Iulian Ciobanu expressed excitement about the year ahead, stating, “We are honoured to represent Canada and are dedicated to showcasing the resilience and skill that define our boccia community. The Canadian Boccia Team is poised to make a lasting impact, and we are ready to face the world’s best in 2024.”
The year ends with a total of 21 medals won by the 2023 National Boccia Team, including seven gold, seven silver, and seven bronze at four World Boccia international competitions.
Following the 2023 Parapan American Games in November, Alison Levine is ranked second in the world in the individual event and first in the world in BC4 pairs with teammate, Ciobanu. Ciobanu is now ranked fourth in the world in individuals. Both have already qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympics, while the BC1 and BC2 Team of Danik Allard, Kristyn Collins, and Lance Cryderman will be looking to secure their spot with a podium finish this March in Portugal at the final Paralympic Qualifier.
Two young athletes that showed promise at international and national competitions in 2023, Alexandre Lemaire and Olivier Roy, have officially been selected to the national team. Roy was successful in winning his first international medal last July at a World Youth Boccia Championships in BC2 individuals, while in October, Alexandre Lemaire finished in first place at the 2023 Canadian Boccia Championships in class BC3 individuals.
In the BC3 category, Lemaire is joined by Marylou Martineau and Joëlle Guérette to play in pairs.
Three-time Paralympian, Marco Dispaltro, will be competing individually in the BC4 category. He has his sights set on a Paris qualification too and currently sits in fifteenth place in the world.
“As Head Coach, I’m very pleased with the athletes selected for the 2024 Canadian Boccia Team. Several athletes are returning to the team, some with their sights set on qualifying for Paris! This year, the emphasis will be on building from the excellent results obtained in 2023, so those going to Paris are in the best possible conditions to perform,” says César Nicolai, Boccia Canada.
Boccia Canada, the boccia community, and fans alike are excited for the athletes’ performances in 2024 and wish them success in their prestigious endeavors.
2024 Canadian Boccia Team
BC1
Lance Cryderman (Sudbury, ON)
BC2
Danik Allard (Bois-des-Filion, QC)
Kristyn Collins (St. John’s, NL)
Olivier Roy (Québec City, QC)
BC3
Alexandre Lemaire (Kingsey Falls, QC)
Joëlle Guérette (Ste-Sophie, QC)
Marylou Martineau (Québec City, QC)
BC4
Alison Levine (Montréal, QC)
Iulian Ciobanu (Montréal, QC)
Marco Dispaltro (Montréal, QC)
About Boccia Canada
Boccia Canada is the boccia delivery arm of the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA), the National Sport Organization for the Paralympic sport of boccia. Boccia Canada is focused on providing athletes and individuals of all ages and skill with the chance to play a unique Paralympic sport. We lead, develop and grow boccia from grassroots to producing World Champions, and we collaborate with partners to increase participation of Canadians with physical disabilities in sport.
About boccia
Boccia is a Paralympic sport of precision and strategy similar to lawn bowling or curling, played by athletes with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and related disabilities. It is one of only two Paralympic sports that do not have an Olympic counterpart. Athletes compete in one of six sport classes based on their level and type of disability: BC1, BC2, BC3 BC4, BC5, and Open.
Media Contact
Holly Janna
Communications Lead and National Team Coordinator, Boccia Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 613-748-1430 x3 | Cell: 514-944-5193